Local Queenstown Gallery Confirmed to Show at Auckland Art Fair

Friday, May 20, 2016

New Zealand’s premier showcase for contemporary art – Auckland Art Fair, will return in 2016 with a stellar line up of both local and international talent confirmed to attend, including leading Queenstown gallery, Toi o Tahuna.

The 2016 edition heralds a shift in focus to contemporary art of the wider Pacific region, including artists and galleries not only from NZ and Australia, but also Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands, and aims to establish the Fair as an important event in the regional cultural calendar.

The fair will provide a powerful platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work to a broad local and international audience.

The selection process for the 2016 fair was highly competitive. Galleries were chosen on the merit of their proposals by an independent Selection Committee comprising of Michael Lett, Director of Michael Lett Gallery (Auckland); Dayle Mayce, longstanding supporter and patron of the Arts in New Zealand; Justin Paton, Head of International Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney); Simon Rees, Director of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre (New Plymouth) and Hamish Keith, cultural commentator.

Toi o Tahuna Gallery represents a range of established and emerging artists whose varied specialties make up a comprehensive collection including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass and jewellery. The gallery holds the largest selection of Maori artwork nationwide and will showcase seven talented artists at this year’s Fair.

Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti has multiple Maori Visual Arts degrees from Massey University and received two scholar awards during her tenure. She has participated in thirteen group and solo exhibitions between 2010 and 2015.

Kim Lowe has acquired five degrees including three Fine Arts degrees, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Teaching Diploma. Since her career began, she has received ten awards and scholarships, showcased eight solo exhibitions and participated in seventeen group exhibitions across New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and Scotland.

Rangi Kipa has a Masters in Maori Visual Arts and has held lecturing positions between 1995 and 2007. Over the past ten years he has showcased his work in solo and group exhibitions in New Zealand and the United States, and been the recipient of multiple awards, commissions and residencies.

Drew Hill graduated from Ilam School of Fine Arts in 1992. He participated in four group exhibitions between 2013 and 2015, and has held solo exhibitions in Toi o Tahuna gallery and the Auckland Photography Art Fair.

Paratene Matchitt is a renowned New Zealand artist who is known for combining traditional Maori aesthetics with modern styles. Collections of his work have been held in public galleries, museums and private collections in New Zealand and the United States since 1962. Matchitt has showcased solo exhibitions in New Zealand, the U.S, Malyasia, Japan, France and Czechoslovakia throughout his career.

Aaron Kereopa is represented exclusively by Toi o Tahuna and has held annual solo exhibitions within the gallery since 2006.

Liam Te Nahu has a Masters in Visual Arts and Design, and a Bachelors degree in Media Arts. He has held four solo exhibitions in New Zealand between 2012 and 2016, and exhibited at the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair in 2015.

The Auckland Art Fair is a must-see for both seasoned art aficionados and budding first-time buyers, with the breadth of galleries exhibiting set to create a versatile experience for every palate.

Another exciting element in 2016 is the involvement of internationally acclaimed chef Peter Gordon, who is curating all culinary offerings at the Fair including a signature fusion restaurant on the mezzanine level of The Cloud, overlooking the Waitemata Harbour.

Auckland Art Fair Co-Director Stephanie Post is thrilled to have the gallery on board, saying “Toi o Tahuna are a fantastic gallery and having seen the great exhibition they put on in Sydney last year, we are really looking forward to seeing their stand in Auckland”.

Auckland Art Fair poses the perfect opportunity for a sophisticated urban getaway with the incredible array of art and gastronomy on offer at the Cloud, as well as additional shows popping up around the city in collaboration with the fair.

Tickets are available now from artfair.co.nz with an Early Bird rate of $25 (until April 30th), door sales at $30 and 4-day passes at $75. Tickets for the exclusive Opening Night on Wednesday 25th May are $95 and $45 for the Artists Party on Friday 27th May.